LSE and Africa: shaping a new agenda for impact
At a recent dinner hosted by LSE President and Vice-Chancellor Larry Kramer, we celebrated LSE’s historic relationship with Africa, and discussed its next chapter as we approach LSE’s 130th Anniversary. The purpose of the dinner was to begin a new conversation about LSE’s impact in Africa: training the next generation of African leaders, expanding the reach of our research, and deploying that research to shape Africans’ lives.
Professor Kramer introduced Dr Musimbi Kanyoro, an Independent member of the LSE Council, who focuses her time on mentoring the next generation of women leaders, with special focus on African women. Dr Kanyoro shared her experience of working on the continent, and why she feels that LSE is uniquely positioned to have an impact in Africa, particularly across the five Campaign theme areas of democracy, inequalities, political economy, sustainability and new technologies.
Professor Tim Allen and Professor David Luke from the Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa were also in attendance to speak about their work in research across the continent on international development and African trade. They also highlighted the Institute's support of students through the Programme for African Leadership (PfAL).
I can go to Zanzibar, Liberia, Uganda, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, or Kenya and see an LSE presence. People like Professor Tim Allen has worked on the ground with partner institutions in Uganda, South Sudan, and the DRC for many years supporting research that impacts many people in conflict areas, partnering with several African governments, universities, and development organizations. LSE understands when students come from these areas of conflict and other difficult environments, the type of support that is needed for them to excel in their education.
100 African scholars
LSE alumni from Africa are having an impact in all spheres of life, from politics and academia, to business and education. But students from Africa are underrepresented at the School, making up just 1.6% of our student community despite representing 20% of the global population.
We know that cost is a barrier and we are committed to ensuring that opportunities here are accessible to the most talented students best equipped to use an LSE education for good, rather than just simply those who can afford the fees.
In 2021, with lead support from Jules Green, we announced a goal to secure 100 African scholarships supported through philanthropy every year, catalysing a strategic approach to bringing more outstanding African students into our community. In this academic year we are providing 27 such scholarships – three times more than in 2020 – but we need new partners to achieve our goal and build an LSE community that better reflects society. We are especially seeking support for LSE’s endowment to ensure scholarships are available for African students for generations to come.
For more information or to explore ways to get involved, please contact Ikenna Acholonu, Philanthropy Manager at i.acholonu@lse.ac.uk
Africa has the youngest and fastest growing population of all the major regions of the world. It is also home to nine of the world’s fastest growing economies in 2025. With your support we can dramatically expand our collaborations with Africa, shaping the world for the better.
